Publication:

Medical management of oral submucous fibrosis

Background In 1952 Schwartz coined the term “atrophica idiopathica mucosa oris” to describe an oral fibrosing disease he discovered in 5 Indian women from Kenya. Oral submucous fibrosis of oral cavity is a chronic progressive debilitating disease and premalignant condition of oral cavity. The condition is well recognized for its malignant potential and it is particularly associated with aracanut chewing. It is characterized by burning sensation in mouth particularly while eating spicy food and progressive development of inability to open mouth. Worldwide estimate of oral submucous fibrosis indicate that 2.5 million people are affected with a higher incidence in Indian subcontinent.

Methods This is an observational type of study of 100 patients with oral submucous fibrosis attending ENT OPD.

Results We observed that with effective combination of treatment and avoiding predisposing factors and with long time follow-up we got markedly good results.

Conclusions Although medical management does not completely cure the disease but optimal doses of injection corticosteroid with injection hyaluronidase with avoidance of predisposing factors and improvement of dietary habit with prolong follow up is effective in some extent.